One of the top right fielders in Major League Baseball, Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres, made a surprise shift to second base.
Tatis Jr. started at second base batting second in the Padres' home game against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on the 12th (Korean time), going 3-for-4 with one RBI and one walk to lead the team to a 9-5 victory.
More notable than the batting line was Tatis Jr.'s switch to second base. Since debuting in the big leagues in 2019 wearing a San Diego uniform, this was his second appearance at second base. It was his first start there.
In 2021 San Diego signed Tatis Jr. to a 14-year contract that aggregates $304 million (about 505 billion won). They recognized his value as a right fielder and his hitting ability and gave him a long-term deal. Until now, a second-base look was not part of his appeal.
Now, in his eighth year since his big league debut, he entered the starting lineup as a second baseman. But Tatis Jr.'s start at second base offers a glimpse into San Diego's dilemma.
MLB.com noted that "Tatis Jr. made his first start at second base since turning pro." He caught a fly ball in the fifth, handled a grounder in the sixth, completed a double play in the seventh and caught another fly ball in the ninth.
MLB.com noted that "it was routine plays any second baseman would be expected to make. Tatis Jr. made all of them." MLB.com highlighted Tatis Jr.'s surprise move to second base. He is an All-Star who has won the Gold Glove twice while playing right field.
There were times earlier when he played shortstop and other infield positions, but Tatis Jr. fully converted to the outfield in 2023. Still, he took the field at second base that day. It was not an entirely out-of-the-blue situation. MLB.com said, "San Diego suggested Tatis Jr. try second base during camp," adding, "in recent weeks Tatis Jr. had increased his work at second base in practice, but there were no signs he would actually play there," expressing surprise.
There is a reason: there is no suitable backup for second base. MLB.com observed, "With Song Seong-mun out with a left side oblique injury, San Diego does not have a clear second-base backup. Ty France can cover second, but he is not particularly good there."
MLB.com said, "Tatis Jr. may be the best right fielder in baseball. San Diego still sees him that way. But manager Bob Melvin seems to have no problem moving Tatis Jr. to other positions occasionally."
Manager Bob Melvin said, "Tatis Jr. is an amazing athlete. He can do almost anything. We are really confident in what kind of person and athlete he is. Whatever task we give him, he will be able to handle it."
MLB.com offered another expectation: the return of Song Seong-mun. That day Song Seong-mun was on standby in Triple-A before being called into the game as a substitute. The expectation is that he will be called up to the big leagues soon.
MLB.com predicted that Song Seong-mun will be called up to the big leagues soon. MLB.com said, "Song Seong-mun would become a primary backup at every infield position except first base." For now, though, it expected Tatis Jr. to cover second base.
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